Iran's Supreme Leader pardons 72 military prisoners

Iran's Supreme Leader has declared an amnesty in connection with the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr city during the Iran-Iraq war.

The head of Iran's judiciary Sadiq Amoli Larijani on the occasion of the liberation of Khorramshahr appealed to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with a letter in which he asked for pardon and reduce the sentences of 72 military convicts, the country's Fars news agency reported on May 22.

The supreme leader in turn, signed a relevant decree. Iran's Constitution grants him the right to pardon or reduce the sentences of convicts upon the recommendation of the judiciary chief.

Amnesties and reduced prison terms are granted mainly on occasions marking religious and national festivals in Iran.

Iran annually celebrates May 24 as the anniversary of the recapture of the Khorramshahr port city from the Iraqis in 1982 during the Iran-Iraq War. The Iraqis had captured the city early in the war on October 26, 1980.